Smoking Pot

[Angel4Truth]

Is it moral and ethical? Should it be legalized?

It would depend on its usage . I see no reason why it shouldnt be legal for medical medicinal reasons , however for recreational use , i dont think its ok .

Getting high alters the state of the mind and keeps someones mind from being sound . Before its asked " but what about alcohol , is legal . The difference is that drinking in moderation is not nessesarily done for the "buzz" effect and alcohol in moderation can actually be good for you . Its use is not condemned in scripture unless the use is excessive .

Drugs used recreationally are condemned by scripture and God has given us a sound mind for a reason . Pot depresses the senses and the minds ability to reason and i would think its wrong for the same reason too much alcohol is .

Relevant verses :

Genesis 9:21 Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. (reason was disabled here)

Genesis 19:32 "Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father.'' (reason was disabled here)

Leviticus 10:9 "Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, 10."that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean (drunkeness inhibits reasoning abilities)

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (intoxication - or in the case of being stoned , ones reasoning is inhibited and one is given to behavior that is not seemly and morals are diminished)

Proverbs 23: 30. Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine.
31. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly;
32. at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.
33. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. (intoxication causes one to lose reasoning ability)

Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; 5. lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted. (reason and morals diminished )

Isaiah 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, they are swallowed up by wine, they are out of the way through intoxicating drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. (self explanitory)

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind

anyway , there are more than those but i think that makes the point , but here is one that adresses drug use itself :

Revelation 9:21 and they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

The word translated there is sorceries , which literally from the greek is drug use , and comes from the word pharmakia which the word pharmacy is taken also .

Strong's Ref. # 5331
Romanized pharmakeia
Pronounced far-mak-i'-ah
from GSN5332; medication ("pharmacy")

Topics: SORCERY
English Use: Noun
Strong's Number: 5331
Transliterated: pharmakia (or -eia)
Text: (Eng., "pharmacy," etc.) primarily signified "the use of medicine, drugs, spells"; then, "poisoning"; then, "sorcery," Gal. 5:20, RV, "sorcery" (KJV, "witchcraft"), mentioned as one of "the works of the flesh." See also Rev. 9:21; 18:23.\ In the Sept., Ex. 7:11, 22; 8:7, 18; Isa. 47:9, 12.\ In "sorcery," the use of drugs, whether simple or potent

 

[Cerberus~]

Getting high alters the state of the mind and keeps someones mind from being sound . Before its asked " but what about alcohol , is legal . The difference is that drinking in moderation is not nessesarily done for the "buzz" effect and alcohol in moderation can actually be good for you .

People who buy beer and hard liquor typically are buying for the buzz factor, which impairs you to a far greater degree and also counters the good health effects. A little wine is ok, and good, buy a 12 pack, or a quart of vodka is way too much of a good thing. Not to mention beer belly.

There is no evidence that smoking pot is detrimental to health to any degree. It's actually far more safer than alcohol, and quite possibly has numerous benefits that we don't even know anything about yet.

Plus there is as much connoisseurship in pot as there is in wine. Hundreds of different varieties, all with unique smells, tastes, highs, and tectures.

Its use is not condemned in scripture unless the use is excessive .

What Scripture says has absolutely no bearing on whether it should be legal. The Bible plays no part in lawmaking. And even if it did, the Bible never addresses pot, not once. Why is that?

Drugs used recreationally are condemned by scripture and God has given us a sound mind for a reason .

You alter your mind when you eat chocolate, or drink coffee, or have a little wine. Why are those not immoral and pot is?

Pot depresses the senses and the minds ability to reason and i would think its wrong for the same reason too much alcohol is .

How about we stop saying what pot does, because more often than not, you're all wrong. First off, pot affects everyone a little differently, so there are no universals. Second, different types of pot stimulate different types of high which make you react differently. There's pot out there that will make you stone cold lazy. There's also pot out there that makes you hyper and active.

Relevant verses :

No. They all reply to booze. Pot was around back then, and they knew it could get you high. Maybe there's a reason God didn't condemn it.

Not to mention the Genesis verse that state that all seed bearing plants are good and are for man's use. There's a verse in the Gospel's where Jesus says that it isn't what goes into your mouth that condemns you, but what comes out of your mouth because that comes from your heart.

anyway , there are more than those but i think that makes the point , but here is one that adresses drug use itself :

Revelation 9:21 and they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

The word translated there is sorceries , which literally from the greek is drug use , and comes from the word pharmakia which the word pharmacy is taken also .

Strong's Ref. # 5331
Romanized pharmakeia
Pronounced far-mak-i'-ah
from GSN5332; medication ("pharmacy")

Topics: SORCERY
English Use: Noun
Strong's Number: 5331
Transliterated: pharmakia (or -eia)
Text: (Eng., "pharmacy," etc.) primarily signified "the use of medicine, drugs, spells"; then, "poisoning"; then, "sorcery," Gal. 5:20, RV, "sorcery" (KJV, "witchcraft"), mentioned as one of "the works of the flesh." See also Rev. 9:21; 18:23.\ In the Sept., Ex. 7:11, 22; 8:7, 18; Isa. 47:9, 12.\ In "sorcery," the use of drugs, whether simple or potent

Marijuana is an herb. If you were to apply this to marijuana, you have to apply this to every pharmecuetical, every pill, and pretty much every form of medicine before you get down the list to marijuana.

By this verse, yur doctor is a servant of Satan, and Walgreens is his harem.

 

[marblehead]

It would depend on its usage . I see no reason why it shouldnt be legal for medical medicinal reasons , however for recreational use , i dont think its ok .

Getting high alters the state of the mind and keeps someones mind from being sound . Before its asked " but what about alcohol , is legal . The difference is that drinking in moderation is not nessesarily done for the "buzz" effect and alcohol in moderation can actually be good for you . Its use is not condemned in scripture unless the use is excessive .

Drugs used recreationally are condemned by scripture and God has given us a sound mind for a reason . Pot depresses the senses and the minds ability to reason and i would think its wrong for the same reason too much alcohol is .

Relevant verses :

Genesis 9:21 Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. (reason was disabled here)

Genesis 19:32 "Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father.'' (reason was disabled here)

Leviticus 10:9 "Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, 10."that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean (drunkeness inhibits reasoning abilities)

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (intoxication - or in the case of being stoned , ones reasoning is inhibited and one is given to behavior that is not seemly and morals are diminished)

Proverbs 23: 30. Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine.
31. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly;
32. at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.
33. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. (intoxication causes one to lose reasoning ability)

Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; 5. lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted. (reason and morals diminished )

Isaiah 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, they are swallowed up by wine, they are out of the way through intoxicating drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. (self explanitory)

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind

anyway , there are more than those but i think that makes the point , but here is one that adresses drug use itself :

Revelation 9:21 and they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

The word translated there is sorceries , which literally from the greek is drug use , and comes from the word pharmakia which the word pharmacy is taken also .

Strong's Ref. # 5331
Romanized pharmakeia
Pronounced far-mak-i'-ah
from GSN5332; medication ("pharmacy")

Topics: SORCERY
English Use: Noun
Strong's Number: 5331
Transliterated: pharmakia (or -eia)
Text: (Eng., "pharmacy," etc.) primarily signified "the use of medicine, drugs, spells"; then, "poisoning"; then, "sorcery," Gal. 5:20, RV, "sorcery" (KJV, "witchcraft"), mentioned as one of "the works of the flesh." See also Rev. 9:21; 18:23.\ In the Sept., Ex. 7:11, 22; 8:7, 18; Isa. 47:9, 12.\ In "sorcery," the use of drugs, whether simple or potent

Most of those just mention wine, which is different than pot. The last one, I don't even know what to think of because it seems to be stretching it to interpret that sorcery means pot.
As I said in another thread about marijuana:

I'll assume that since you're a christian then you believe that god created the world, including marijuana. So what is the problem with it being legal? Why outlaw god's creation?

One last thing, why do you think things should be legal or illegal according to scripture? Not everyone believes like you do and I think others have mentioned in this thread that legalization would benefit this country and others. You can still believe what you do from interpreting scripture if marijuana is made legal, you don't have to use marijuana. Why do you think it would be okay to deny others the liberty of smoking pot because of your interpretation of a 2000 year old book?

 

[Angel4Truth]

Most of those just mention wine, which is different than pot. The last one, I don't even know what to think of because it seems to be stretching it to interpret that sorcery means pot.
As I said in another thread about marijuana:

The verses I posted werent directly about wine , but about its excess caused from its inebriation effect , or intoxicating effect , and pot likewise alters the mental state of the person using it , that was the point and i did also include a verse about drug use , and the verse is about recreational use , not medicinal use , Luke in scriptures was a physician and in timothy its mentioned to take a little wine for frequent infirmaties so medicinal use is seperate from recreational use of something .

The second thing you posted was not to me but to another poster as those were not my words .

 

[Cerberus~]

The verses I posted werent directly about wine , but about its excess caused from its inebriation effect , or intoxicating effect , and pot likewise alters the mental state of the person using it , that was the point and i did also include a verse about drug use , and the verse is about recreational use , not medicinal use , Luke in scriptures was a physician and in timothy its mentioned to take a little wine for frequent infirmaties so medicinal use is seperate from recreational use of something .

It talks about alcohol intoxication, not pot intoxication. You can smoke for an hour and have your level of intoxication surpassed in minutes by someone with a strong drink. Pot changes how you think, that alone doesn't make it bad. Sometimes that change is for the better, sometimes not. But you're still in control.


The Bible does not forbid using substances that alter your mind, Jesus first made water into wine, did he not? It does forbid getting plastered to the point you lose control, which is hard to do with pot.


That's why I smoke. I could easily drink, but pot's oh so much better than alcohol, and cheaper.

 

[Angel4Truth]

It talks about alcohol intoxication, not pot intoxication. You can smoke for an hour and have your level of intoxication surpassed in minutes by someone with a strong drink. Pot changes how you think, that alone doesn't make it bad. Sometimes that change is for the better, sometimes not. But you're still in control.

The verses are dealing with the effects of diminshed mental capacity through intoxication . Intoxication is intoxication . They also deal with lack of morality and poor choices because of ones mind being in an altered relaxed state and even you admit that pot changes the way you think and God wants us to have a sound mind and be Christ minded and i dont see anywhere Christ and the disciples sat around stoned or drunk , sorry . You are not nessesarily in control when your mental capacity has been diminished by drugs or alcohol .

The Bible does not forbid using substances that alter your mind, Jesus first made water into wine, did he not? It does forbid getting plastered to the point you lose control, which is hard to do with pot.

The bible forbids intoxication and wine is ok in moderation only and the bible is clear on it , as far as the rest , no the bible doesnt fobid pot , sniffing glue , shooting heroin , snorting coke either , but that doesnt mean they are ok with God when God has been clear about us retaining Christ mindedness and self control . Self control can easily be lost using drugs and the bible DOES forbid drug use itself , even though the particular drugs arent named and they dont need to be .

Arguments from silence are the weakest ones there are .

That's why I smoke. I could easily drink, but pot's oh so much better than alcohol, and cheaper.

Hey if you want to sit around stoned out of your mind , thats your business , you have free will . But there are reasons you wont be in certain jobs ever and its not because you have a clear mind on drugs , many drunks lose many jobs and its not because alcohol is illegal , because its not . Its because those who are drunk have poor judgments and i believe the same can be said for those who are high .

 

[TheBear]

Drugs used recreationally are condemned by scripture and God has given us a sound mind for a reason . Pot depresses the senses and the minds ability to reason and i would think its wrong for the same reason too much alcohol is.

Ae you saying that alcohol does not depress the senses or impair the ability to reason?

 

[marblehead]

The verses I posted werent directly about wine , but about its excess caused from its inebriation effect , or intoxicating effect , and pot likewise alters the mental state of the person using it .

Pot is different from alcohol, being high is totally different from being drunk. I have much more control over myself when I'm high than I do when I'm drunk.

, that was the point and i did also include a verse about drug use , and the verse is about recreational use , not medicinal use , Luke in scriptures was a physician and in timothy its mentioned to take a little wine for frequent infirmaties so medicinal use is seperate from recreational use of something .

So you justify the use of wine for medical reasons?...You know heroin used to be in cough syrup don't you?

The second thing you posted was not to me but to another poster as those were not my words .

You did say that for recreational use you don't think it is okay...

It would depend on its usage . I see no reason why it shouldnt be legal for medical medicinal reasons , however for recreational use , i dont think its ok .

Well, the questions were to you. Why do you think the bible should be considered in this matter?
You can still not think something is okay even if it's legal, or do I misunderstand and you do think it should be fully legal, but you don't think it's okay to do it?

 

[Lignoba]

Pot depresses the senses and the minds ability to reason and i would think its wrong for the same reason too much alcohol is .

Then explain this. I took my ACTs the first time and scored a 23. I decided to take them again the next month, but decided to stop at a friends hosue and smoke with him first. That time around, I scored a 34. No amount of studying can cause an 11 point increase in a month.

 

[Angel4Truth]

Ae you saying that alcohol does not depress the senses or impair the ability to reason?

Maybe you didnt read my entire posts since moderation was stressed and it was clear that excess caused intoxication . No , I do not believe that a drink with dinner or a glass of champagne at a wedding will impair the ability to reason or depress the senses . 2 , iffy maybe , 3 or , more definately and is not advised by me or by scripture.

Dont think anyone taking a teaspoon of whiskey and lemon for a cold , will be drunk either .

Maybe you can tell me what benefit we would get off one hit off a joint at dinner since its not something to eat or drink?

 

[Angel4Truth]

Pot is different from alcohol, being high is totally different from being drunk. I have much more control over myself when I'm high than I do when I'm drunk.

Im pretty sure that might be debatable by others , but without knowing you when you arent high and when you are , that may or may not be debateable .

So you justify the use of wine for medical reasons?...You know heroin used to be in cough syrup don't you?

Well no , heroine was never part of cough syrup , that would be morphine and now coedine because its safer . Heroine is dirty cheaply made morphine . The opiate that makes heroine was part of it , you are a little confused here because they are similar . Opiates are respiratory supressing . I do believe its a myth that heroine was ever used . However what difference does that make , i said i had no issue with medicinal use of pot even , not sure of your point here .

So even it ever was , it wouldnt matter to this discussion because clearly cough syrup is medicinal in intended use .

You did say that for recreational use you don't think it is okay...

Thats correct .

Well, the questions were to you.

Sorry , when you quote someone else other than me then do not make yourself clear who you are adressing , i dont assume someone elses quote being used to be a question to me unless you say so when you make the post .

Why do you think the bible should be considered in this matter?

This forum is called ethics and morality and its within a christian message board and i am a christian and as a christian believe that all ethics and morality stem from God and the OP asked (and didnt say only to non believers and atheists) if pot use was moral and ethical .

You can still not think something is okay even if it's legal, or do I misunderstand and you do think it should be fully legal, but you don't think it's okay to do it?

No , I do not think it should be legal except for medicinal usages . You may not like my opinion or veiw and thats your choice .

 

[Angel4Truth]

Then explain this. I took my ACTs the first time and scored a 23. I decided to take them again the next month, but decided to stop at a friends hosue and smoke with him first. That time around, I scored a 34. No amount of studying can cause an 11 point increase in a month.

Im sure that getting high will increase your ACT test scores by 11 points without any kind of study since study is what is being measured . Maybe you can explain how getting high miraculously expanded your knowledge in math and science and literature . Only four students in every 1000 pass the ACT with a 34.

23 is a far lower end of the spectrum and you account the change to getting stoned?

 

[Lignoba]

Im just trying to argue the point that marijuana does not make your reasoning skills be diminished in any way, it in some cases will improve them.

 

[Cerberus~]

No , I do not think it should be legal except for medicinal usages . You may not like my opinion or veiw and thats your choice .

So you prefer increased crime than people being able to enjoy themselves legally?

The verses are dealing with the effects of diminshed mental capacity through intoxication .

Alcoholic intoxication which is fundementally different than being high.

Intoxication is intoxication .

No it isn't. The effects alcohol and pot have on the brain are significantly different. That is a fact.

They also deal with lack of morality and poor choices because of ones mind being in an altered relaxed state and even you admit that pot changes the way you think and God wants us to have a sound mind and be Christ minded and i dont see anywhere Christ and the disciples sat around stoned or drunk , sorry . You are not nessesarily in control when your mental capacity has been diminished by drugs or alcohol .

Jesus drank wine, did he not? Maybe Jesus did get high, we don't know. They had pot back then, and it's said that cannabis, or "kanah bosum" was an ingredient in a OT annointment oil recipe. Oil dissovles THC and it can be absorbed though the skin.

Anyway, when you're high, you're still in control of yourself unless it affects you in a way so that you aren't, but those are rare cases.

Have you ever smoked?

The bible forbids intoxication and wine is ok in moderation only and the bible is clear on it

Then why isn't pot ok in moderation.

, as far as the rest , no the bible doesnt fobid pot , sniffing glue , shooting heroin , snorting coke either , but that doesnt mean they are ok with God when God has been clear about us retaining Christ mindedness and self control . Self control can easily be lost using drugs and the bible DOES forbid drug use itself , even though the particular drugs arent named and they dont need to be .

Perhaps Christians use pot to gain that Christ-mindedness. To get that empathy, joy, creativity, energy, enthusiasm that Christ had. To help them be more Christ-like with their neighbors.

It's a stretch to try and conclude that pot is immoral with a bunch of verses that talk about pharmecueticals and alcohol.

But there are reasons you wont be in certain jobs ever and its not because you have a clear mind on drugs , many drunks lose many jobs and its not because alcohol is illegal , because its not . Its because those who are drunk have poor judgments and i believe the same can be said for those who are high .

Lady, you don't know jack about me, my life or my financial well-being, so lets not go pretending like we do, ok.

 

[Cerberus~]

23 is a far lower end of the spectrum and you account the change to getting stoned?

Great mind have been smoking for years. There's a reason it's known for it's philosohpical properties.

http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2783.html

 

[marblehead]

Im pretty sure that might be debatable by others , but without knowing you when you arent high and when you are , that may or may not be debateable .

How could it be debatable? I'm not making some far out claim here by saying I have more control over myself after smoking than after drinking.

Well no , heroine was never part of cough syrup , that would be morphine and now coedine because its safer . Heroine is dirty cheaply made morphine . The opiate that makes heroine was part of it , you are a little confused here because they are similar . Opiates are respiratory supressing . I do believe its a myth that heroine was ever used . However what difference does that make , i said i had no issue with medicinal use of pot even , not sure of your point here .
So even it ever was , it wouldnt matter to this discussion because clearly cough syrup is medicinal in intended use .

Actually, it was part of cough syrup.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin

Thats correct .

Sorry , when you quote someone else other than me then do not make yourself clear who you are adressing , i dont assume someone elses quote being used to be a question to me unless you say so when you make the post .

I was actually quoting myself from another thread, the whole post was directed towards you, even the quote.

This forum is called ethics and morality and its within a christian message board and i am a christian and as a christian believe that all ethics and morality stem from God and the OP asked (and didnt say only to non believers and atheists) if pot use was moral and ethical .

No , I do not think it should be legal except for medicinal usages . You may not like my opinion or veiw and thats your choice .

I know where we are discussing this, but the fact remains that pot was never mentioned in the bible and I don't see what the bible has to do with the legality of pot. I don't see why a Christian would want marijuana to be illegal if god created it, it causes no harm if used responsibly and it's not mentioned in the bible.

 

[Angel4Truth]

So you prefer increased crime than people being able to enjoy themselves legally?

Sorry but this is really poor reasoning , are you high right now by any chance? This is like saying rape should be legal or i prefer a higher crime rate , or robbery , or heroine use , etc..

Alcoholic intoxication which is fundementally different than being high.

No , it isnt . Both alcohol and pot are depressants , and pot has as added haloucinogenic quality , which actually makes it worse . Here are a couple articles about the depressive effects and harmful effects to the body of pot use which contradict your claims :




Marijuana more harmful than we thought especially for girls

And another : http://www.committment.com/jamison.html

HERE IS AN ARTICLE FROM THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE CONCERNING MARIJUANA


Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded flowers and leaves of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). There are over 200 slang terms for marijuana, including pot, weed, grass, pot, hay, herb, cannabis, dobie, ganja green, indica, loco weed, seeds, spliff, thaistick, whackytabacky, chronic, doob, homegrown, leaf, mary jane, reefer, fir, sinsemilla, stems, twigs, amp, buddha, cryptonite, dope, gold, bush, maui-wowie, smoke, mo, Texas tea, bhang, boo boo bama.

Although all parts of the plant are mind-altering, the main ingredient in marijuana is THC. The amount of THC in the marijuana determines how strong its effects will be on the user. The strength of today's marijuana is much greater than the marijuana used in the early 1970's — increasing the possibilities of health problems for today's users.

* What is hash and sinsemilla?

Hashish (or hash), hash oil, and sinsemilla are stronger forms of marijuana. Hashish is made by taking the resin from the leaves and flowers of the marijuana plant and pressing it into cakes or slabs. Hash may contain five to ten times as much THC as other forms of marijuana.

* How is marijuana used?

Marijuana is usually smoked as a cigarette, called a joint, or in a pipe or bong. Recently, it has appeared in hollowed-out cigars called blunts or swishers which are more dangerous because they contain the equivalent of three to four joints.

* Are other drugs used with marijuana?

Yes. In some instances, marijuana joints have been dipped in PCP and embalming fluid to enhance marijuana's effects. Joints laced with cocaine are called "Primo." The use of multiple drugs can intensify marijuana's initial effects and increase the chances of adverse reactions.

* How long does marijuana stay in the user's body?

THC is strongly absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs and disrupts nerve cells in the part of the brain where memories are formed. Generally, traces of THC can be detected by a urine test several days after smoking marijuana. In chronic users, however, traces of THC can be detected weeks after they have stopped using marijuana.

* What are the immediate effects of smoking marijuana?

Some immediate physical effects of marijuana, along with intoxication, include red, bloodshot eyes, confusion and anxiety, loss of coordination, increased appetite, hallucinations, and a dry mouth and throat. Someone high on marijuana may seem giggly or silly for no reason and have trouble walking. Studies of marijuana's mental effects show that the drug can impair or reduce short-term memory, alter sense of time, and reduce ability to do things which require concentration, swift reactions, and coordination.

* Are there short-term adverse effects to using marijuana?

Yes. A common adverse reaction to marijuana is the "acute panic anxiety reaction." Users describe this reaction as an extreme fear of losing control which causes panic. The symptoms usually disappear in a few hours. The risk of other adverse reactions are even greater when other drugs and alcohol are mixed with marijuana.

* Does marijuana affect driving ability?

Research shows that driving skills are impaired for at least four to six hours after smoking a single joint, long after the high is gone. Marijuana affects a wide range of skills needed for safe driving. Thinking and reflexes are slowed, making it hard for drivers to respond to sudden, unexpected events. Also, a driver's ability to stay in their lane through curves, brake quickly, and maintain speed and the proper distance between cars is affected. If a person drinks alcohol, along with using marijuana, the risk of an accident greatly increases.

* Is it possible to become addicted?

Yes. Long-term regular users of marijuana may become dependent or addicted. Problem users lose interest in daily activities and report loss of energy and boredom. They may have a hard time limiting their use, may build a tolerance to the drug requiring larger amounts of the drug to get the same effect, and may develop problems with their jobs and personal relationships. Like other drug addictions, marijuana can become the most important aspect of their lives.

* If someone uses marijuana during a pregnancy, is the baby at risk?

Some research studies suggest that marijuana use during pregnancy may result in premature and low birth weight babies who are at-risk of developing health problems. Researchers are not certain whether a newborn baby's health problems, if marijuana-related, will persist as the child matures.

* What are the long-term effects of marijuana use?

Respiratory system: Marijuana can be especially harmful to the lungs because users inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and hold it in their lungs as long as possible. Marijuana smoke can cause the same breathing problems that tobacco users experience, including bronchitis and emphysema.

Cancer: Marijuana smoke contains more cancer-causing agents than is found in tobacco smoke. In fact, studies show that someone who smokes five joints per week may be taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes every day.

Reproductive system: Heavy use of marijuana can affect male and female hormones, diminish or extinguish sexual pleasure, and cause a temporary loss in fertility. Among other symptoms, women may have irregular menstrual cycles, and young men may experience the delayed onset of puberty.

Immune System: Animal studies have found that THC can damage the cells and tissues that help guard against disease.

* Are adolescents at-risk?

One major concern about marijuana is its possible effects on young people as they grow up. Research shows that the earlier people start using drugs, the more likely they are to go on to experiment with other dangerous drugs. In addition, when young people start using marijuana regularly, they often lose interest in schoolwork affecting academic success as well. Chronic marijuana use can place students both at risk of dropping out of school and possible encounters with law enforcement.

* How are people usually introduced to marijuana?

Many young people are introduced to marijuana by their peers—usually acquaintances, friends, and siblings. People often try drugs such as marijuana because they feel peer pressure. They may think it's cool to use because they hear about it in pop music, movies, and TV programs.

* What can parents and communities do?

The good news is that children can be taught resist social pressures to try drugs. Parents can help by becoming informed about marijuana, and by talking to their children about drug use. TCADA researchers have found that participation in extracurricular activities, the expression of parental disapproval of using marijuana, and parental attendance at school events can also protect against drug experimentation. Communities can get involved in prevention efforts by developing safe environments, encouraging youth to get involved in community projects, and spreading the word that prevention works!

* Who should I contact if someone close to me has a problem with marijuana?

Contact the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse's toll-free hotline at (800) 832-9623 or your local Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse for referral assistance. You may also contact your family physician, hospital, or yellow pages for other intervention and treatment options.

For more information, contact the following sources:

Your region's TCADA Prevention Resource Center. Dial toll-free (888) PRC-TEXX to be connected to the center nearest you.

Access reliable information instantly from the Internet from the following sites:

The National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Abuse's home page has information on marijuana and other substances of abuse. <http://www.health.org>

The National Institute on Drug and Abuse has national statistics and the latest research findings available. <http://www.nida.nih.gov> The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has a drug database to help parents identify specific drugs, their effects, and drug paraphernalia. <http://www.drugfreeamerica.org>

Jesus drank wine, did he not? Maybe Jesus did get high, we don't know. They had pot back then, and it's said that cannabis, or "kanah bosum" was an ingredient in a OT annointment oil recipe. Oil dissovles THC and it can be absorbed though the skin.

Pure baseless speculation without any support .

Anyway, when you're high, you're still in control of yourself unless it affects you in a way so that you aren't, but those are rare cases.

Have you ever smoked?
Then why isn't pot ok in moderation.

No , they arent rare cases , it would be the rare case where it didnt alter or affect your self control , which is why some choose to get high , because they want to escape control . Yes , I have smoked it before in my younger years and saw tons of my friends become total losers and graduate to much worse things and saw their lives end up in the toilet . So you wont be convincing me of its "good" qualities . Its not ok because of what ive stated and you can read the articles above to see many other reasons .

Perhaps Christians use pot to gain that Christ-mindedness. To get that empathy, joy, creativity, energy, enthusiasm that Christ had. To help them be more Christ-like with their neighbors.

Again more speculation without merit in anything other than wishful thinking .

It's a stretch to try and conclude that pot is immoral with a bunch of verses that talk about pharmecueticals and alcohol.

Since the verses were about intoxication and lack of self control and Christ mindedness , there is no stretch , the strech would be on your part wishfully thinking early Christians and even Christ smoked pot .

Lady, you don't know jack about me, my life or my financial well-being, so lets not go pretending like we do, ok.

Here is what i said that this was in response to :

But there are reasons you wont be in certain jobs ever and its not because you have a clear mind on drugs , many drunks lose many jobs and its not because alcohol is illegal , because its not . Its because those who are drunk have poor judgments and i believe the same can be said for those who are high .

Im sorry you are unable to diffrientiate a discussion on generalities concerning drug testing of a person who uses marijuana and me making personal speculation about you personally . The comment was to ones inability to get a job that drug tests if they are a pot smoker . Again , are you high right now?

 

[Angel4Truth]

How could it be debatable? I'm not making some far out claim here by saying I have more control over myself after smoking than after drinking.

Saying you have more control when you are high than when you are drunk personally doesnt answer if you have more control when you are high then when you are straight , this is a non issue to the discussion.

Actually, it was part of cough syrup.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin

considering that anyone can edit a post and write anything they want at wikipedia , thats not a very good source to prove that . Please cite a real medical source and it might have merit . Wikipedia has been in the news many times for having fraudulent liable articles that have no basis in fact .

I was actually quoting myself from another thread, the whole post was directed towards you, even the quote.

You were quoting yourself but failed to say it was yourself , from another thread which means what? If you are answering me , you need to be quoting me , not yourself , then asking me questions based on you answering yourself while saying you are speaking to me . Im not omniscient , so i cannot read your mind when you do not cite who you are speaking with or who you are quoting .

I know where we are discussing this, but the fact remains that pot was never mentioned in the bible and I don't see what the bible has to do with the legality of pot. I don't see why a Christian would want marijuana to be illegal if god created it, it causes no harm if used responsibly and it's not mentioned in the bible.

God created poison ivy , i wouldnt want you to eat it or smoke it . The reason it causes a haloucinogenic response in the body is because it poisons the body .

Again like i said before , arguments from silence are the weakest there are .

Why you and cerebrus keep pushing the same point over and over thats been responded to , makes me wonder if you are both high right now . Are you?

 

[Angel4Truth]

Great mind have been smoking for years. There's a reason it's known for it's philosohpical properties.

http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2783.html

Your link which was posted to adress a change in ACT scores without study but by getting high , is not answered or adressed in your link .

Secondly , the OP is about ethics and morality , not philosophy . Your post doesnt adress anything being discussed .

 

[B®ent]

Is it moral and ethical? Should it be legalized?

Moral? No, unless for medicinal purposes.

Ethical? N/A.

Should it be legal? Absolutely yes.